Introduction
Fish are an important part of a healthy diet.
They are a lean, low-calorie source of protein.
Some sport fish caught in the nation's lakes, rivers,
oceans, and estuaries, however, may contain chemi-
cals that could pose health risks if these fish are eaten
in large amounts.
The purpose of this brochure is not to discourage you
from eating fish. It is intended as a guide to help
you select and prepare fish that are low in chemical
pollutants. By following these recommendations, you
and your family can continue to enjoy the benefits of
eating fish.
Fish taken from polluted waters might be hazardous
to your health. Eating fish containing chemical pollut-
ants may cause birth defects, liver damage, cancer,
and other serious health problems.
Chemical pollutants in water come from many
sources. They come from factories and sewage treat-
ment plants that you can easily see. They also come
from sources that you can't easily see, like chemical
spills or runoff from city streets and farm fields. Pol-
lutants are also carried long distances in the air.
Fish may be exposed to chemical pollutants in the
water, and the food they eat. They may take up some
of the pollutants into their bodies. The pollutants are
found in the skin, fat, internal organs, and sometimes
muscle tissue of the fish.
What can I do to reduce my health
risks from eating fish containing
chemical pollutants ?
Following these steps can reduce your health risks
from eating fish containing chemical pollutants. The
rest of the brochure explains these recommendations
in more detail.
1. Call your local or state environmental
health department. Contact them before you
fish to see if any advisories are posted in areas
where you want to fish.
2. Select certain kinds and sizes offish for
eating. Younger fish contain fewer pollutants
than older, larger fish. Panfish feed on insects and
are less likely to build up pollutants.
3. Clean and cook your fish properly. Proper
cleaning and cooking techniques may reduce the
levels of some chemical pollutants in the fish.
Health Note
nt from
,. Advisories are issued to
provide recommendations for limiting
the amount of fish to be eaten due to
levels of pollutants in the fish.
A Message from the Administrator
Christine Todd Whitman
I believe water is the biggest
environmental issue we face in the
21!t Century in terms of both quality
and quantity. In the 30 years since
its passage, the Clean Water Act has
dramatically increased the number of
waterways that are once again safe
for fishing and swimming. Despite
this great progress in reducing water
pollution, many of the nation's waters still do not meet
water quality goals. I challenge you to join with me
to finish the business of restoring and protecting our
nation's waters for present and future generations.
Por More
Information
For more information about reducing your health
risks from eating fish that contain chemical pollutants,
contact your local or state health or environmental
protection department. You can find the telephone
number in the blue section of your local telephone
directory.
You may also contact:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
Fish and Wildlife Contamination Program (4305T)
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
web address: www.epa.gov/ost/fish
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water (4101 M)
EPA 823-F-02-005 • April 2002
This brochure may be reproduced without
EPA permission at no charge.
Printed on recycled paper.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of
the Clean Water Ad, EPA presents
A Guide to
Healthu Eating;
,- . j - o
or the Pish
You Catcn
-•*&r*
* 2002 *
THE YEAR OF
CLEAN WATER
LAlSDRl
AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES
Developed in collaboration with the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry,
U.S. Public Health Service
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How can I find out if the waters that I
fish in are polluted?
It's almost impossible to tell if a water body is pol-
luted simply by looking at it. However, there are ways
to find out.
First, look to see if warning signs are posted along
the water's edge. If there are signs, follow the advice
printed on them.
Second, even if you don't see warning signs, call
your local or state health or environmental protection
department and ask for their advice. Ask them if
there are any advisories on the kinds or sizes of fish
that may be eaten from the waters where you plan to
fish. You can also ask about fish-
ing advisories at local sporting
goods or bait shops where fishing
licenses are sold.
If the water body has not been
tested, follow these guidelines to reduce your health
risks from eating fish that might contain small
amounts of chemical pollutants.
Health Note
ints, such
,„ ...~.~v..7 -..- . ~js, can pose
risks to women of childbearing
age, pregnant women, nursing mothers,
and young children. This group should be
especially careful to greatly reduce or avoid
~"*:ng fish caught from polluted water
Do some fish contain more pollutants
than others?
Yes. You can't look at fish and tell if they contain
chemical pollutants. The only way to tell if fish
contain harmful levels of chemical pollutants is to
have them tested in a laboratory. Follow these simple
guidelines to lower the risk to your family:
• If you eat gamefish, such as lake trout, salmon,
walleye, and bass, eat the smaller, younger fish
(within legal limits). They are less likely to contain
harmful levels of pollutants than larger, older fish.
• Eat panfish, such as bluegill, perch, stream trout,
and smelt. They feed on insects and other aquatic
life and are less likely to contain high levels of
harmful pollutants.
• Eat fewer fatty fish, such as lake trout, or fish that
feed on the bottoms of lakes and streams such
as catfish and carp. These fish are more likely to
contain higher levels of chemical pollutants.
ci
earning
Rsh
Can I clean my fish to reduce the
amount of chemical pollutants that
might be present?
Yes. It's always a good idea to remove the skin, fat,
and internal organs (where harmful pollutants are
most likely to accumulate) before you cook the fish.
As an added precaution:
• Remove and throw away the head, guts, kidneys,
and the liver.
Trim away the skin and fatty tissue before cooking to
reduce the level of some pollutants in the fish you eat.
T
Not
back fat
side fat
rcury is found throughout the
.ue in fish, so these cleaning
king techniques will not reduce the
• Fillet fish and cut away the fat and skin before
you cook it.
• Clean and dress fish as soon as possible.
Remember that with any fresh meat, always follow
proper food handling and storage techniques. To
prevent the growth of bacteria or viruses, keep freshly
caught fish on ice and out of direct sunlight.
Cooking Pisn
Can I cook my fish to reduce my
health risk from eating fish containing
chemical pollutants?
Yes. The way you cook fish can make a difference in
the kinds and amounts of chemical pollutants remain-
belly fat
ing in the fish. Fish should be properly prepared and
grilled, baked, or broiled. By letting the fat drain
away, you can remove pollutants stored in the fatty
parts of the fish. Added precautions include:
• Avoid or reduce the amount of fish drippings
or broth that you use to flavor the meal. These
drippings may contain higher levels of pollutants.
• Eat less fried or deep fat-fried fish because frying
seals any chemical pollutants that might be in
the fish's fat into the portion that
you will eat.
• If you like smoked fish, it is best
to fillet the fish and remove the
skin before the fish is smoked.
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